Medication errors are a significant global health concern, leading to numerous illnesses and fatalities each year. WHO estimates that medication errors result in over 3 million deaths annually. The prevalence of errors is influenced by factors such as healthcare infrastructure, reporting practices, and safety protocols.

In Indonesia, cases of medication errors frequently occur. A study reported that in 2021, pharmacists from each hospital department recorded 338 medication errors out of 251,491 prescriptions (0.13%), including 197 reports of potentially harmful incidents, 139 reports of near-miss events, and two reports of unexpected incidents. This issue is a significant concern, as medication errors are a multidisciplinary problem. I believe that addressing this issue requires collaboration among various healthcare professionals to reduce the incidence of such errors.

Furthermore, I would be interested to learn if there are any effective strategies from other countries that have successfully reduced medication errors. Are there any best practices or proven methods that could be applied to improve patient safety in Indonesia?

In Armenia, self-medication is very common, resulting in frequent misuse of medications. Many people do not consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking medicine, which increases the risk of incorrect use. Additionally, pharmacists often do not actively manage or regulate self-medication, further exacerbating the problem.